Use hash marks (tally marks) to mark various activities. As examples:
1-Make a hash mark for every time you play a piece through once.
2-Make a hash mark for every time you practice a difficult section.
3-Combine hash marking both of the above.
4-Make a hash mark for every time you play a piece perfectly.
The act of charting one's own behavior and/or progress has many advantages, some of which are shown below:
1-Charting is motivational; every hash mark adds to the excitement as one accumulates more and more hash marks. Essentially, the child is giving herself her own positive feedback.
2-Self-monitoring or self-charting is a form of self-praise, rewarding oneself for doing something good; for progressing.
3-The student has a sense of pride in showing her teacher how many times a piece or section has been practiced.
4-The student is also helped and motivated by seeing the amount of times he has played each piece. The student might be interested that she has practiced one piece 20 times during a one week period.
5-The teacher loves to know how many days have been spent on the piano during a particular week and how many times the students has worked through the piece each day.
Below is a sample of a filled in chart.
Give charting a try. You may be surprised at the difference it makes.
Music Practice Log Assignment Tracker
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